The price of a mile (Second story in the world war series)

Chapter 18 - British Marines

Ritter Rot

Standing in the Commanders hatch of his Tiger, Marcus silently gazes out into the distance looking through his field glasses. As he and 12 other tanks of the E-1 sector defense settle down into position as the infantry are making small foxholes on the slope of the hill before covering it up with branches and leaves for camo.

It's a perfect view for a long range fire fight which the Tiger I was built for with the massive armament it packs around. There's another Tiger Commander leading the other 6 Panzers on the hill here whilst Marcus has his own 6 he commands with.

"Set your positions and mark your range for 900 yards with wind blowing from the South-East." Marcus says finishing up his range estimate then having his Funker relay orders via radio through the platoon frequency.

The replies come in from his headset and he smiles leaning back to keep watch on below.

**

British Marines 5th division, outskirts of Syracuse.

Major Thomas Anderson

Crouching downward and looking through his pair of field glasses, the Major along with the 2 Captains are quietly working out their plan of attack that's heading towards Syracuse itself. As the sun has finally risen to dawn and it's around 6:12 am.

A Staff Sergeant quietly comes up to the 3 and whispers "Gerry squads have been sighted up ahead of our flanks, requesting permission to begin engagements as we advance then before they get any closer." The man quietly says.

Looking up and with a nod the Major says " Yes begin engagements with the enemy as you see them, we're to push up into Syracuse take it. Then we're to hold it until the reinforcing forces get here."

The 80 men within the 5th divisional Company stand up and begin their advancement over the field heading to the outskirts of Syracuse.

"Enemy in sights herr, requesting fire to open fire." Marcus says over the radio and Karls voice comes in quickly with a stone cold tone. "Feuer Frei Kapitan."

Smiling with a dastardly grin, he puts the mic up to his lips and says "Alles gewher feuer frei!" Marcus orders as the tanks commanders quickly get into their tanks and they shut the hatch above them sealing themselves in.

"Feuer!" Marcus yells to his gunner so he's heard and a moment later the 88mm cannon roars, rattling the tank, and her crew inside of her as the gunpowder sends the bullet down range.

There's a loud screech as the shell whips by and smashes down taking out 8 lads from the high explosive towards the back left of the company formation. There everyone jumps down taking cover as the hills have opened fire with deafening booms followed by the shriek of a shell following the bigger explosion.

Before Anderson can give orders the tree line to their right and front left comes alive with flashes of gun fire that light up. Sending a hellfire of bullets down range into the British Company where chaos is quickly erupting.

"FALL BACK! Fall back to the trees to the south!" Anderson yells over the raging gun fire that has erupted turning the beautiful field into a mass of blood, sweat, bullet shells and dead bodies.

Slowly but quickly picking up pace the Company runs like bats out of hell with each shriek of a tank shell follows the scream of men who bought it, where their lives where cut short.

42 of 80 men quickly make it back to the cover and safety of the Southern tree line where they finally stand some kind of chance. Once back in cover where they started, they begin returning fire finally. Finally shooting back.